Canting mechanism for an ambulatory support device

ABSTRACT

An ambulatory support device includes two support belts configured to be positioned around a user&#39;s body. At least one of the support belts includes a canting mechanism that couples opposing portions of the support belt. The canting mechanism allows the opposing portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user&#39;s body and synchronizes the movement of the opposing portions of the support belt such that movement of one portion causes a substantially equivalent movement of the other portion. The support device also includes one or more support mechanisms. Each support mechanism is coupled between the support belts and provides stability to the user&#39;s body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applicationSerial No. 60/272,821, filed Mar. 1, 2001, entitled “Spinal TractionDevice”.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/875,486 entitled “Traction Device,” which was filed on Jun. 5, 2001by Steven M. Reinecke, et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/875,332 entitled “Lifting Mechanism For A Traction Device,” which wasfiled on Jun. 5, 2001 by Steven M. Reinecke, et al., and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/875,315 entitled “Traction Device AdjustmentMechanism and Method,” which was filed on Jun. 5, 2001 by Steven M.Reinecke, et al.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of medical devices, and moreparticularly to a canting mechanism for an ambulatory support device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Humans have long dealt with the pain, aggravation and loss ofproductivity arising from spinal injuries, particularly those to the lowback. Most people at some point in their lives will be incapacitated bylower back pain which has become the second leading cause of pain nextto headaches. The relative ease with which injuries to the spine andsupporting musculature are incurred, as well as the debilitating effectsof even slight injuries, merely adds to the overall severity of theproblem of dealing with spinal injuries. The forms of treatment varyover the length of time that the patient experiences pain. Eightypercent of low back pain suffers will heal over six weeks with minimalintervention. However, the remaining twenty percent of sufferers createthe greatest challenges and cost to the medical system. After the acutephase, surgical intervention or more invasive forms of treatment may beselected. Minimal or non-invasive treatment methods are howeverpreferred by patients before electing to surgical methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous medical devices for treating the spine havebeen substantially reduced or eliminated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an ambulatorysupport device includes two support belts configured to be positionedaround a user's body. At least one of the support belts includes acanting mechanism that couples opposing portions of the support belt.The canting mechanism allows the opposing portions to rotate aboutassociated pivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user'sbody and synchronizes the movement of the opposing portions of thesupport belt such that movement of one portion causes a substantiallyequivalent movement of the other portion. The traction device alsoincludes one or more support mechanisms. Each support mechanism iscoupled between the support belts and provides stability to the user'sbody.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide one or moretechnical advantages. For example, certain embodiments provide atraction device that may be worn by a user to reduce the compressiveforces on the user's spine by transferring the user's upper body weightoff of the spine to the user's hips. In particular, the decompressiveforces generated by the device may be concentrated on the lower spine ofthe user, an area that may be commonly injured due to compressiveforces. The traction device may also provide stabilization of the torsoto prevent additional compressive forces in the spine due to bending andlifting by the user. Moreover, traction devices of the present inventionmay be used in association with other joints of the body, such as theknee or neck. Furthermore, particular embodiments provide a tractiondevice that is ambulatory, meaning that the device is portable andwearable during the user's daily activities. This ambulatory nature ofthe device provides more convenience to the user and causes less impacton the user's daily activities than previous treatment techniques.

Certain embodiments of the present invention also provide a cantingmechanism associated with one or more straps of the traction device thatare positioned around the user's body. The canting mechanism allowsopposing portions of a strap, which are rotatably coupled to oneanother, to rotate and conform to the contours of the user's body. Thisconformity to the user's body provides comfort to the user and enhancesthe performance of the traction device. The canting mechanism alsosynchronizes the movement of the opposing portions of the strap suchthat correct positioning and substantial symmetry of the strap on theuser's body is maintained. For example, the canting mechanism may ensurethat movement of one portion of a strap induces a substantiallyequivalent movement (distance and direction) of the other portion of thestrap. Other technical advantages may be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art from the following figures, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present invention andthe features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a spinal traction apparatusaccording to the teachings of the invention being worn by a user;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional drawing of a portion of the spinal tractiondevice of FIG. 1B, showing example locations for lifting mechanismsassociated with the traction device;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional drawing of a portion of the spinal tractiondevice of FIG. 1B, showing example locations for an alternativeembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating in more detail portions oftop and bottom belts of the spinal traction device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing with portions cut away showing in moredetail one of the lifting mechanisms of the spinal traction device ofFIG. 1 A;

FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate various views of an example liftingmechanism for use in a spinal traction device;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example valve assembly of a spinal tractiondevice;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an example back belt included in a supportbelt of a spinal traction device; and

FIG. 7 illustrates another example back belt included in a support beltof a spinal traction device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the spinaltraction device of FIG. 1, showing portions of one of the belts;

FIG. 9A is a top view of a support belt and length adjustment mechanismcombination in a first, unadjusted position;

FIG. 9B is a top view of the combination of FIG. 9B in a adjustedposition; and

FIG. 9C is a top view of a support belt after removal of the adjustmentmechanism of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a traction device 10 beingworn by a user 12. In this embodiment, traction device 10 appliesdecompressive forces to the spine of user 12, which transfers bodyweight from the upper torso to the hips of user 12 and preventscompression and aggravation of lower back spinal conditions. In oneembodiment, the offloading forces are concentrated specifically on thelower spine, rather than across the entire spine. This effect is createdby decompressive forces pushing upward and downward on the lower spine.These decompressive forces are created by traction device 10, asdescribed below. In other embodiments, tracking device 10 may also bemodified to create tension in other portions of the body, such as thefemur.

Spinal traction device 10 includes an upper support belt 14 and a lowersupport belt 16; however in other embodiments, the decompression forcesmay be generated through various combinations of one or more belts.Support belts 14 and 16 may be formed in any suitable manner that allowspositioning around the body of a user and transferring of adecompressive force to user 12. Example details of one embodiment ofbelts 14 and 16 are described in greater detail below in conjunctionwith FIG. 2.

Spinal traction device 10 also includes one or more lifting mechanisms18. Lifting mechanisms 18 generate a decompressive, or tensile, forcethat may be transferred to the spine of user 12 through support belts 14and 16. Lifting mechanisms 18 are coupled to a valve assembly (FIG. 5)to control pressurization of lifting mechanisms 18. In one embodiment,lifting mechanisms 18 are coupled serially to the valve assembly;however, they may be coupled to the valve assembly in a parallel orother suitable fashion. Lifting mechanisms 18 are disposed withinpouches 19 connected to lower support belt 16 and pouches 21 connectedto upper support belt 14. Example locations about the circumference ofbelt 16 of lifting mechanisms 18 are shown more clearly in FIGS. 1B and1C. Coupling of lifting mechanisms 18 to support belts 14 and 16 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 3. Example details associated with oneparticular embodiment for lifting mechanism 18 are described in greaterdetail below in conjunction with FIGS. 4A-4D. However, in theillustrated embodiment, lifting mechanisms 18 are fluidic (for example,pneumatic or hydraulic) devices that create a decompressive, or tensile,force through fluid pressure. Lifting mechanisms 18 may also bemechanical devices. When pressurized, lifting mechanisms 18 push upwardon support belt 14 and downward on support belt 16, resulting in adecompressive force on the spine of user 12.

A proper fitting of spinal traction device 10 about the body of user 12is important. Fitting is accomplished, in part, through a pair oflocking devices 20, one located on upper support belt 14 and one locatedon lower support belt 16 and through a common strap 22. Common strap 22forms a part of both upper support belt 14 and lower support belt 16 andtherefore allows uniform adjustment to both belts at the same time.Locking mechanisms 20 include a plurality of notches 24 and a latch 26for locking mechanism 20 in place at a desired notch location. Lockingmechanisms 20 may, however, be replaced with any suitable mechanism forlocking belts 14 and 16 into a desired location, such as snaps, hook andloop type fasteners and other suitable fasteners Common strap 22 isdescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

In operation, user 12 places spinal traction device 10 around his waistand adjusts belts 14 and 16 using common strap 22 to a desired tensionaround his waist. Common strap 22 facilitates obtaining uniformtightness of both support belts 14 and 16. User 12 may then lock belts14 and 16 in place using locking mechanisms 26. To apply traction to thespine of user 12, a fluid is supplied to lifting mechanisms 18 to causelifting mechanisms 18 to expand pushing belt 14 upward and belt 16downward. Because support belts 14 and 16 are tightly wrapped around thebody of user 12, this decompressive force is transferred to the user'sbody and hence his spine. This relieves stress on the spine.

Traction device 10 may be portable and wearable during everydayactivities. Thus, device 10 may be applied at home, work, play or duringtravel and at user's 12 convenience. Therefore, a user is more likely tocomply with therapy guidelines much more readily than if user 12 wasrequired to travel to a clinic for therapy. The amount of forcegenerated by the lifting mechanisms 18 may be controlled by the patientthrough a manual inflation device, or valve assembly, described ingreater detail in conjunction with FIG. 5, or may alternatively becontrolled with another suitable control device. In one embodiment,pressures generated within lifting mechanisms 18 offload approximately50% of the body weight of user 12. A relief valve (not explicitlyshown), may be provided to prevent overinflation. Such a relief valvemay be situated such that user 12 may instantly relieve the pressure inlifting mechanisms 18 at any time. Spinal device 10 may also stabilizethe torso, while still allowing flexibility. This stabilization preventsadditional compressive forces in the spine due to bending and lifting.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are partial cross-sectional drawings through lines 1B—1Band 1C—1C, respectively, of FIG. 1A showing more clearly examplelocations for lifting mechanisms 18. FIG. 1B illustrates examplelocations for lifting mechanisms for normal spinal decompression use. Asillustrated, four lifting mechanisms are used, with two in the generalback region of user 12 and two located towards the front of user 12.This configuration allows application of a decompressive force to thespine yet allows user 12 to perform daily operations without unduehindrance. FIG. 1C illustrates a different configuration that alsorestricts motion of user 12 from side to side, in addition to placingthe spine of user 12 into traction. This may be particularly useful fortreating scoliosis. Scoliosis is a condition where the spine curves toone or two directions in the thoratic and/or lumbar region. Thevertebrae of the spine are twisted or tilted, which causes the ribs toprotrude to one side. By locating lifting mechanisms 18 towards the sideof user 12, side-to-side motion by user 12 may be restricted and astraightening force may be applied to the spine to treat the spinalcurvature effects of scoliosis. Although four lifting mechanisms areillustrated in both FIGS. 1B and 1C, any suitable number of liftingmechanisms may be used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of spinal traction device 10 showingadditional details of lower support belt 16 and upper support belt 14.Upper support belt 14 is formed from a back belt 28 and a pair of frontbelts 30. Some portions of front belt 30 are not illustrated in FIG. 2for clarity of illustration. Front belt 30 is formed with a plurality ofholes 32 allowing selective adjustment of the size of upper belt 14. Inconjunction, back belt 28 includes a plurality of slits 35 for engagingfront belt 30 and a hole 34 for meshing with holes 32 in front belt 30.Front belt 30 and back belt 28 may be locked together through a rivet orother connector placed through a desired hole 32 and hole 34 on frontbelt 30 (not explicitly shown in FIG. 2). Surrounding front belts 30 andback belt 28 is an outer sleeve 31. Portions of outer sleeve 31 are cutaway in FIG. 2. Outer sleeve 31 provides an attractive look to supportbelt 14 and also may provide cushioning comfort to user 12. Outer sleeve31 may be formed from fabric or other suitable material and may beformed in a plurality of sections to facilitate selective access to backbelt 28 and front belts 30 for adjustment.

Back belt 28 includes a strap 202 intermeshed between two plates 204.Back belt 28 is a generally rigid member in the direction of generalizedsupport (up or down in this example) and is disposed within outer sleeve31 of belt 14. As described in greater detail below, a force applied toupper back belt 28 from lifting mechanisms 18 is transferred to outersleeve 31 and therefore the spine of user 12. Front belts 30 are alsogenerally rigid in the direction of support and may be formed fromplastic or other suitable material.

Top plate 202 and plates 204 are described in greater detail below withrespect to FIGS. 6A and 6B; however particular portions associated withapplication of a decompressive force to belts 14 and 16 are describedhere. The plate 204 that is positioned to the exterior of strap 202 isformed with notches 36. Notches 36 couple to portions of liftingmechanisms 18 and facilitate transferring of a decompressive force fromlifting mechanisms 18 to upper belt 14. Plate 204 is generally rigid inthe direction of support such that it may transfer a force resultingfrom lifting mechanisms “pushing” it. Plate 204 may be formed from anysuitable material that allows transferring of force from liftingmechanisms 18 to a belt 14; however in one embodiment, plate 204 isformed from plastic.

Lower support belt 16 is similar to upper support belt 14. Lower supportbelt 16 includes a back belt 40 and a pair of front belts 42. Back belt40 and front belts 42 are substantially similar to upper back belt 28and front belt 30 and include a plate 44 and a strap 46; however, plate44 is formed with notches 37 facing downward rather than upward to allowtransference of force from lifting mechanisms 18 in a downwarddirection.

Also shown more clearly in FIG. 2 is common strap 22. Common strap 22connects to both upper belt 14 and lower belt 16, allowing commonadjustment of spinal traction device 10 about the body of a user. Inthis example, hook and loop type fasteners 48, commonly known as VELCRO,are disposed on common strap 22 to secure strap 22 into place.

One of holes 32 in front belt 30, denoted by reference numeral 50, andone of holes 32 in front belt 42, denoted by reference numeral 52, arealso illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of portions of spinal traction device 10with portions cut away showing additional details of coupling of liftingdevice 18 with upper belt 14 and lower belt 16. This figure may beoriented with respect to FIG. 2 by holes 50 and 52. As illustrated,front belt 30 includes a notch 56, analogous to notches 36, and frontbelt 42 includes a notch 57, analogous to notches 37. Lifting device 18is coupled between belts 14 and 16 through notches 56 and 57 and clips132, respectively, of lifting mechanisms 18. Access to notches 56 and 57is provided through pouches 21 and 19, shown in FIG. 1A Additionaldetails of lifting mechanism 18 are described in greater detail below inconjunction with FIGS. 4A trough 4D.

In operation, in order to apply a decompressive force between upper belt14 and lower belt 16, lifting device 18 is pressurized causing adownward force on the lower end of lifting device 18, as denoted byreference numeral 58 and an upward force on the upper end of liftingdevice 18, as denoted by reference numeral 60. This in turn generatesforces in belt 30 and front belt 42 in opposite directions. Liftingmechanisms 18 may also be coupled between belts 14 and 16 at notches 36and 37 in plates 204 and 44. Restriction of lifting mechanism 18therefore results in applying a decompressive force to the spine of user12 through belts 14 and 16. Additional details of examples of suitablelifting mechanisms 18 are described in greater detail below inconjunction with FIGS. 4A-4D.

FIGS. 4A through 4D illustrate various views of an example liftingmechanism 18 for use in spinal or other traction device 10. FIG. 4A isan exploded view of lifting mechanism 18, FIGS. 4B and 4C are differentisometric views of an assembled lifting mechanism 18, and FIG. 4D is aside view of lifting mechanism 18 illustrating internal components oflifting mechanism 18 using broken lines. Although lifting mechanisms aredescribed, it should be understood that other types of supportmechanisms may be used. For example, static support mechanisms may beused that do not extend (unlike lifting mechanisms 18), but that simplyprovide static support. As described above, one or more liftingmechanisms 18 may be coupled between support belts 14 and 16 or anyother suitable supports (for example, between pins positioned in auser's bones on either side of a joint) and extended to provideseparation of support belts 14 and 16, thus reducing the compressiveforces applied to one or more of the vertebrae of user's spine (or anyother suitable joint). As is illustrated, example lifting mechanism 18has a substantially elliptical cross-section. The term “elliptical” ismeant to include all non-circular ellipses, ovals, “egg” shapes, “bean”shapes, and any other similar shapes. When lifting mechanism 18 ispositioned as a part of traction device 10, this substantiallyelliptical cross-section provides greater comfort to the user and has alower profile against the user's body than would a similar liftingmechanism having a cylindrical cross-section. Furthermore, other shapesthat conform to the user's body may also be used. However, as describedbelow, the use of such substantially elliptical or other non-circularcross-sections present problems that are not associated with acylindrical cross-section.

Lifting mechanism 18 includes a piston having a piston rod 102 and aflange 104 that is inserted into a sleeve 106. In the illustratedembodiment, piston rod 102, flange 104, and sleeve 106 each have asubstantially elliptical cross-section. However, any other appropriateshape may be used for one or more of these components. For example,flange 104 and sleeve 106 may have substantially ellipticalcross-sections and piston rod 102 may have a circular or otherappropriate cross-section. Flange 104 is configured such that itconforms to the inside of sleeve 106 and may slide inside sleeve 106. Apiston ring 108 may be positioned around the perimeter of flange 104 toform a seal between flange 104 and sleeve 106. A groove 110 may beformed around the perimeter of flange 104 to provide a seating forpiston ring 108. Piston ring 108 may have a rectangular cross-section, acircular cross-section, or any other appropriate type of cross-section.Furthermore, piston ring 108 may be fabricated from rubber or any otherappropriate material.

Since sleeve 106 has a non-circular cross-section, if the interior ofsleeve 106 is pressurized to effect the movement of piston rod 102 (asdescribed below), stresses will be developed in sleeve 106 and givesleeve 106 the tendency to deform into a cylindrical shape. This isundesirable since it may induce leakage between sleeve 106 and pistonring 108. Therefore, sleeve 106 may be fabricated from a metal, such asaluminum, or another appropriate material to withstand these stressesand prevent such deformation. In the example embodiment, sleeve 106 hasopenings at either end and thus does not form an airtight chamber intowhich air or any other appropriate fluid may be inserted to move pistonrod 102. Therefore, to form an airtight chamber, a housing is formedaround sleeve 106. The housing includes a housing bottom 112 which fitsover one end of sleeve 106 and a housing top 114 which fits over theother end of sleeve 106 and contacts housing bottom 112. Housing top 114also provides an opening 116 through which piston rod 102 may beextended. A housing ring 118 may be inserted into housing bottom 112 toprovide a seal between sleeve 106 and housing bottom 112 to prevent orreduce the leakage of air or other fluids from sleeve 106. A lower edge120 of housing top 114 may be sonically welded to a upper edge 122 ofhousing bottom 112, although housing bottom 112 and housing top 114 maybe coupled in any other appropriate manner to form a substantiallyairtight enclosure. Housing bottom 112 and housing top 114 may befabricated from plastic or any other suitable material. Furthermore,housing top 114 may be eliminated in certain embodiments and sleeve 106may have a partially enclosed first end and be bonded with housingbottom 112 at a second end. However, housing top 114 may be used whenbonding between sleeve 106 and housing bottom 112 is infeasible due tothe use of differing materials to fabricate sleeve 106 and housingbottom 112.

In particular embodiments, piston rod 102 may be hollow such that acavity 124 extends from one end of piston rod 102 to the other. Cavity124 extends through flange 104 such that air or another fluid in sleeve106 may travel through piston rod 102 in cavity 124. Therefore, a pistonrod top 126 is coupled to the end of piston rod 102 opposite flange 104to prevent this air or other fluid from escaping from sleeve 106 throughpiston rod 102. Piston rod top 126 may be sonically welded to piston rod102 or coupled to piston rod using any other suitable technique. As withpiston rod 102, piston rod top 126 may be fabricated from plastic or anyother appropriate material. Cavity 124 is provided in particularembodiments so that a spring 128 or other appropriate elastic member maybe used to connect housing bottom 112 and piston rod top 126. Spring 128is used to provide a force to retract piston rod 102 into sleeve 106when a sufficient air or other fluid pressure does not exist in sleeve106 to counteract the retraction force generated by spring 128, such aswhen traction device 10 is not in use. Housing bottom 112 and piston rodtop 126 may each include a hook point 130 which may be used to attachspring 128 to housing bottom 112 and piston rod top 126. Alternatively,any other appropriate attachment points located in any other suitablepositions may be used. Housing bottom 112 and piston rod top 126 mayalso include clips 132 for coupling lifting mechanism 18 to supportbelts 14 and 16, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 4C, housing bottom 112 also includes one or more inlets134 through which air or any other appropriate fluid may be pumped intoand released from sleeve 106. For example, inlets 134 may be configuredsuch that a hose from an associated pump may be coupled to inlets 134.Using such a pump, air or another fluid may be pumped into sleeve 106until a sufficient amount of pressure is exerted against a bottom face136 of flange 104 (shown in FIG. 4A), and against piston rod top 126 ifpiston rod 102 is hollow to cause flange 104 to move away from housingbottom 112 and thus for piston rod 102 to extend out from housing top114. Air or any other appropriate fluid may be pumped into sleeve 106through inlets 132 until piston rod 102 is in an appropriate position.As described above, multiple lifting mechanisms 18 may be coupledbetween support belts 14 and 16, and the piston rod 102 of each liftingmechanism 18 may be extended such that appropriate spacing is maintainedbetween support belts 14 and 16 and an appropriate force is applied toplace the user's spine or other joint in traction. Once this appropriateposition and force are reached, the pressure against flange 104 (andpiston rod top 126, if appropriate) are maintained to provide support tothe user and reduce compressive forces on the user's spine or otherjoint.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary valve assembly 150 of traction device10. Valve assembly 150 may be used to connect multiple lifting mechanism18 to a pump used to pump air or any other appropriate fluid intolifting mechanism 18. For example the multiple lifting mechanisms 18 oftraction device 10 may be connected to a pump in series or in parallelby appropriately connecting inlets 134. For example, a hose may becoupled between valve assembly 150 (as described below) and a firstinlet 134 of a first lifting mechanism 18. Another hose may be coupledbetween a second inlet 134 of the first lifting mechanism 18 (asillustrated in FIG. 4C, each lifting mechanism 18 may have multipleinlets 134) and a first inlet 134 of a second lifting mechanism 18. Sucha pattern may be continued until each lifting mechanism 18 is eitherconnected to another lifting mechanism 18 or to valve assembly 150. Apump may then be coupled to valve assembly 150 to pump air or anotherfluid into the various lifting mechanisms 18, as described below.Alternatively, each lifting mechanism 18 may be individually coupled tovalve assembly 150 or subsets of the lifting mechanism 18 may be coupledin series and then coupled to valve assembly 150. For example, two frontlifting mechanisms 18 may be coupled in series and two back liftingmechanism 18 may be coupled in series separate from the front liftingmechanisms 18.

Valve assembly 150 provides a point at which the various liftingmechanisms 18, no matter how interconnected, may be coupled to a pump.In the illustrated embodiment, valve assembly 150 is formed integrallywith one of the lifting mechanisms 18 of traction device 10. Forexample, a housing 152 of valve assembly 150 may be formed integrallywith a housing 154 of the associated lifting device (housing 154 may beused in place of housing 114, described above). However, valve assembly150 may also be fabricated as a stand-alone device that may beassociated with traction device 10 in any appropriate manner.

Valve assembly 150 includes a valve plate 156 that includes a number ofcouplers 158 to which hoses may be coupled. For example, a hose from apump may be coupled to coupler 158 a, which is located in the center ofplate 156. Similarly, hoses leading to one or more lifting mechanisms 18or other devices to which air or another fluid is to be supplied (forexample, a lumbar pillow associated with lower support belt 14) may becoupled to couplers 158 b-158 d. Any appropriate number of couplers 158may be included in valve assembly 150. Plate 156 further includes aseries of holes, with each hole extending from a coupler 158 throughplate 156 to an upper surface 160 of plate 156. Therefore, air oranother fluid may travel from upper surface 160 of plate 156 througheach of these holes to a hose attached to the respective coupler 158,and vice versa. When assembled, plate 156 is positioned concentric toand proximate a plunger 162 and is separated from plunger 162 by anumber of O-rings 164 or other appropriate seals. Each O-ring 164 ispositioned around a respective hole in plate 156. Plunger 162 includes acenter hole 166 that extends through plunger 162 and aligns with acenter hole in plate 156 (extending from coupler 158 a). Plunger 162also includes a side hole 168 that extends through plunger 162 and islocated the same distance from the center of plunger 162 as the distancethe holes associated with couplers 158 b-158 d are located from thecenter of plate 156.

A spring 170 is positioned between plunger 162 and an upper innersurface 172 of housing 152. Spring 172 applies a force to plunger 162that causes plunger to be pressed against and form a seal with plate 156(with the aid of O-rings 164). An airtight enclosure is formed in thetop portion of housing 152 above plunger 162 by coupling plate 156 tohousing 152, for example, with one or more appropriate fasteners.Plunger 162 is coupled to a valve lever 174, which is located outside ofhousing 152. Lever 174 may be used to rotate plunger 162 or to raiseplunger 162 so as to break the seal between plunger 162 and plate 156.Furthermore, an airtight enclosure is formed between plate 156 andplunger 172 by fastening plate 156 against a lip 176 of housing 152. Forexample, holes 178 may be used to fasten plate 156 against lip 176 usingscrews or other appropriate fasteners.

When plunger 162 is in contact with plate 156, air or another fluid froma pump coupled to coupler 158 a may pass through plate 156 (in the holeassociated with coupler 158 a) and then through hole 166 of plunger 162into the airtight enclosure above plunger 162. The air or other fluidthen travels back down through hole 168 of plunger 162. Where the airtravels after this depends on where hole 168 is positioned. Lever 174may be used to rotate plunger 162 such that hole 168 may be aligned witha hole in plate 156 corresponding to coupler 158 b, 158 c, or 158 d.When hole 168 is aligned with one of these holes in plate 156, the airmay then travel through the hole in plate 156 to the hose attached tothe corresponding coupler 158 b, 158 c, or 158 d. The air then travelsthrough the corresponding hose to the one or more lifting mechanisms 18or other pressurized devices attached to the hose.

This process may be repeated for the devices coupled to each coupler 158b-158 d by rotating plunger 162 so that hole 168 is aligned with theappropriate hole in plate 156. A check valve may be included in plunger162 in-line with hole 166 to prevent air or another fluid from thevarious attached pressurized devices from returning through hole 166 andthus escaping through the hole in plate 156 corresponding with coupler158 a, for example, when no pump is coupled to coupler 158 a. When auser desires to release the air or another fluid from the variousattached pressurized devices, the user may use lever 174 to lift plunger162 off of plate 156. When this happens, the air or other fluid fromeach of the devices passes from the various hoses coupled to couplers158 b-158 d through plate 156 and then back through plate 156 throughthe hole associated with coupler 158 a (if a pump is not coupled tocoupler 158 a) or through another suitable outlet.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example back belt 28 included in a support belt14 of traction device 10, viewed from the rear. Back belt 28 may becoupled to front belts 31 of support belt 14 using holes 32 and 34 andan associated connector, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, with strap 202 beinginternal to plate 204 (closer to the user's body) to accommodate liftingmechanisms 18. However, it should be noted that support belt 14 mayinclude a single belt that includes the features of both back belt 28and front belts 31. Back belt 28 includes a strap 202 and a plate 204.FIG. 6B illustrates strap 202 without plate 204 to more clearlyillustrate strap 202. As described above, plate 204 includes notches 36that are used to connect lifting mechanisms 18 to support belts 14 and16. For example, clips 132 of a lifting mechanism 18 may be insertedinto notches 36 to attach the lifting mechanism 18 to support belt 14.In the example embodiment, strap 202 is coupled to plate 204 at twopivots 206. Pivots 206, along with a canting mechanism 208 incorporatedin strap 202, allow strap 202 to move in relation to plate 204 (and thusin relation to lifting mechanisms 18) to assist in fitting support belts14 and 16 to the user's body, as described below. Any appropriatecomponent may be used to couple strap 202 and plate 204 at pivots 206 soas to allow strap 202 and plate 204 to rotate relative to one another atpivots 206.

Strap 202 includes a first portion 210 a and a second portion 210 b thatare coupled using canting mechanism 208. In one embodiment, cantingmechanism 208 includes two hinges 212 a and 212 b. Plate 204 and cantingmechanism 208 are typically positioned on the user's back near the spinewhen traction device 10 is worn by the user. Portions 210 typicallyextend from the user's back and around the user's sides to the user'sfront. When worn in such a manner, pivots 206 and hinges 212 of cantingmechanism 208 allow portions 210 to conform to the contours of theuser's body, and particularly to the areas of the thorax and the pelvis.Therefore, canting mechanism 208 may be used to more closely fit supportbelts 14 and 16 to users having a variety of different sizes and shapes,while maintaining substantial symmetry and more effective treatment.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, portions 210 and canting mechanism208 may be integrally formed. For example, portions 210 and cantingmechanism 208 may be formed from a single piece of plastic and hinges212 may be formed by molding or cutting this piece of plastic into thedesired shape. Alternatively, any other suitable method of fabricatingthese components from any appropriate material may be used. Hinges 212 aand 212 b may be formed by forming or cutting slots 214 a and 214 b,respectively, in strap 202. The term “slots” is meant to include bothslits and wedges formed in strap 202. If slits are formed, the slits arepulled open to create wedges when strap 202 is coupled to plate 204. Asillustrated in FIG. 6B, slot 214 a associated with hinge 212 a begins ata first edge 216 of strap 102 and extends almost to a second edge 218 ofstrap 202. The remaining material of strap 202 between the end of slot214 a and second edge 218 of strap 202 forms hinge 212 a. Furthermore, acircular or other cut-out may be formed at the end of slot 214 a nearsecond edge 218 to aid in the opening of slot 214 and to reduce theresultant stresses on hinge 212 a. Slot 214 b is formed in a similarmanner except that slot 214 b begins at second edge 218 of strap 202 andextends almost to first edge 216 of strap 202. Hinge 212 b is locatedproximate to first edge 216 and provides a different point of rotationthan hinge 212 a. Therefore, hinges 212 a and 212 b may be collectivelyreferred to as a polycentric hinge.

If slots 214 are formed as wedges in strap 202, the width of wedges 214and the angle at which wedges 214 are formed determines, at least inpart, the range of movement of portions 210. For example, the greaterthe size of wedges 214, the more range of movement that will be allowed.If slots 214 are formed as slits, the slits are opened to form wedgeshaving an appropriate size. Furthermore, the positioning of hinges 212ensures that the movement of portions 210 is complementary. For example,if an end 220 a of portion 210 a moves up, then an end 220 b of portion210 b will move up a substantially equal amount. This is because theupward movement of end 220 a will cause slot 214 a to close about hinge212 a, and this closure of hinge 214 a will in turn cause slot 214 b toopen about hinge 212 b (due to forces applied and the positioning ofpivots 206). This closure of hinge 214 b will in turn cause an upwardmovement of end 220 b. Therefore, the design of canting mechanism 208allows for the movement of portions 210 a and 210 b of strap 202 andsynchronizes this movement.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, depending upon which part of the user's bodythat back belt 200 is to be positioned around, one or more limitors 222may be used to limit the movement of portions 210 in a certaindirection. For example, if back belt 200 is to be positioned around theuser's hips with first edge 216 of strap 202 nearest to the user's legs,then limitors 222 may be positioned as illustrated to allow portions 210to move upward to accommodate the user's hips, but not allow downwardmovement of portions 210 past a certain point. Limitor slots 224 may beformed in strap 202 and may be configured and positioned such that whenportions 210 are moved downward, limitor slots 224 engage with limitors222 on plate 204 and prevent further downward movement of portions 210with respect to plate 204. In this case, limitors 222 may be peg-likeextensions from plate 204 on the side of plate 204 to which strap 202 isattached. Although limiting the downward movement of portions 210 isdescribed, it should be understood that limitors 222 and limitor slots224 may be positioned in other embodiments so as to limit the upwardand/or downward movement of portions 210.

FIG. 7 illustrates another example back belt 300 included in a supportbelt 14 of traction device 10. Back belt 300 includes a strap having twoseparate portions 302 a and 302 b and also includes a plate 304 couplingportions 302 a and 302 b. As with plate 204, lifting mechanisms 18 arecoupled to plate 304. Portions 302 are coupled to plate 304 at pivots306, such that portions 302 may move independently of plate 304. Backbelt 300 also includes a canting mechanism 308. However, unlike cantingmechanism 208 of FIGS. 6A and 6B, canting mechanism 308 is implementedusing a series of gears. In one embodiment, these gears include strapgears 310 a and 310 b which are rotatably coupled to portions 302 a and302 b, respectively, and plate gears 312 a and 312 b which are rotatablycoupled to plate 304. Gears 310 and 312 may be fabricated from plastic,metal, or any other appropriate material.

Gears 310 and 312 may be coupled to one another in the following manner.Gear 310 a meshes with gear 312 a, gear 312 a meshes with gear 312 b,and gear 312 b meshes with gear 310 b. Therefore, if gear 310 a isrotated, this rotation also causes gears 312 a, 312 b, and 310 b torotate. Gears 310 a and 310 b are coupled to portions 302 a and 302 b,respectively, such that when a portion 302 rotates about its respectivepivots 306, the respective strap gear 310 associated with the portion302 also rotates about the pivot 306. Since gears 310 are coupledthrough gears 312, if one portion 302 is moved upward or downward, theother portion 302 moves substantially the same distance in the samedirection.

For example, if an end 312 a of portion 302 a is raised (for example, tofit over a user's hip), then this motion will cause gear 310 a to rotatein a clockwise direction and the degree of this rotation will berelative to the distance that end 312 a is raised. The clockwiserotation of gear 310 a will in turn cause a counter-clockwise rotationof gear 312 a, and this rotation of gear 312 a will cause a clockwiserotation of gear 312 b. Finally, the clockwise rotation of gear 312 bwill cause a counter-clockwise rotation of gear 310 b, which in turnwill cause an end 312 b of portion 302 b to move substantially the samedistance upward as end 312 a was moved. Furthermore, although notillustrated in FIG. 7, back belt 300 may have limitors and limitor slots(as with back belt 200) to limit the movement of straps 302 a and 302 bin one or more directions, as described with reference to FIGS. 6A and6B above. Moreover, although two example canting mechanisms forfacilitating the manipulation of a support belt 14 to fit the contoursof a user's body while maintaining substantial symmetry are described,any other appropriate mechanisms may be used and are included within thescope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating portions of upper supportbelt 14 of traction device 10 of FIG. 1, illustrating the movablerelationship between front belts 30 a, 30 b and back belt 28. Frontbelts 30 a and 30 b may be adjusted relative to back belt 28 toappropriately fit a user. Adjustment of front belts 30 a and 30 b withrespect to back belt 28 is referred to as a macro adjustment becauseadditional adjustments may be made through latches 24 and 26 and commonstrap 22. Lower belt 16 may be adjusted in a similar manner.

In the illustrated embodiment, back belt 28 is formed with a pair ofholes 32 for intermeshing and coupling with one of holes 33 formed infront belts 30 a and 30 b. Use of holes 32 and 33 may sometimes allowsuitable adjustments of front portions 30 a and 30 b such that a usermay pull on both 30 a and 30 b and increase the length equally from bothsides; however it is often difficult to ensure that front belts 30 a and30 b have been lengthened by the same number of holes 33. In addition,in embodiments that do not utilize holes 32 and 33, such as embodimentsthat utilize clamps or other suitable connecting mechanisms for joiningfront belts 30 a and 30 b to back belt 28, it is often difficult tolengthen belt 14 equally from both sides. If upper belt 14 is notlengthened equally from both sides, this may skew the position oflifting mechanisms 18 to an undesired position. Therefore, an adjustmentmechanism is provided that facilitates lengthening belt 14 to a suitablesize but maintains the appropriate orientation of the associated liftmechanisms 18. An example embodiment of such a mechanism is describedbelow in conjunction with FIGS. 9A through 9C.

FIG. 9A is a top view of a belt 402 in combination with an adjustmentmechanism 404 according to the teachings of the invention. Belt 402 maybe similar to upper belt 14 or lower belt 16 and includes front portions406 a and 406 b that may be connected to a back portion 408. Belt 402 islengthened by pulling together front portions 406 a and 406 b thuspulling the front portions away from back portion 408. As describedabove, it is often difficult to pull equally on front portion 406 a and406 b to maintain the desired orientation of belt 402 about the body ofa user. When utilizing lift mechanisms 18, this disorientation couldresult in improper fitting of the belt and improper forces being appliedto the user. Therefore, an adjustment mechanism 404 is provided.Adjustment mechanism 404 includes a strap 409 having ends 410 and 412coupled to front portions 406 a and 406 b, respectively. As used herein,“ends” refers generally to opposite portions of strap 409; however, ends410 and 412 are not required to be the termination of strap 409. Ends410 and 412 may couple to front portions 406 a and 406 b, respectivelythrough any suitable manner, such as snap combinations 414, 426 and 416,428. Adjustment mechanism 408 also includes a clamp 420 coupled to backbelt 408 through snap combination 424, 434. Clamp 420 includes rollersor bars 422 that guide strap 409 along back belt 408. A hook and loopmaterial, commonly known as Velcro, is formed on strap 409 betweenrollers 422, as denoted by reference numeral 418. Strap 409 may alsoinclude this hook and loop material on other portions of it Operation ofadjustment mechanism 408 is described with reference to FIG. 9B.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the belt and adjustment mechanism 408 and belt402 of FIG. 9A showing belt 402 in an adjusted position. As shown, frontportions 406 a and 406 b have been pulled together, as denoted byreference numeral 448, thus increasing the length of belt 402. Pullingfront portions 406 a and 406 b together necessarily pulls strap 409 andhook and loop portion 418 along with it. In doing so, hook and loopportion 418 detaches from each other, which causes strap 409 to bepulled equally from both the side of 406 a and the side of 406 b. Thisensures that the resulting configuration of belt 402 maintains theproper orientation for lift mechanisms such as those described above.Front belts 406 a, 406 b may then be secured to back belt 408 by rivetsor other suitable connectors 450 and 452.

FIG. 9C is a top view of the belt 402 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B afterdetachment of adjustment mechanism 404. After belt 402 is suitablyadjusted, as described in FIG. 9B, adjustment mechanism 404 may bedetached at ends 410 and 412 as well as clamp 420, leaving the device asshown in FIG. 9C. Thus a macro adjustment for belt 402 may be effectedthat ensures proper orientation of associated lifting mechanisms, whilefine tuning of the fit or belt may be accomplished through common strap22 and locking devices 20.

Although the present invention has been described with severalembodiments, numerous changes, substitutions, variations, alterations,and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it isintended that the invention encompass all such changes, substitutions,variations, alterations, and modifications as fall within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ambulatory support device, comprising: twosupport belts configured to be positioned around a user's body, at leastone support belt comprising a canting mechanism coupling opposingportions of the support belt, the canting mechanism comprising twohinges, each hinge associated with a corresponding portion of thesupport belt, the canting mechanism operable to: allow the opposingportions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt toconform to the user's body; and synchronize the movement of the opposingportions of the support belt such that movement of one portion causesand requires movement of the other portion of substantially equivalentmagnitude; and one or more support mechanisms, each support mechanismcoupled between the support belts and operable to provide stability tothe user's body.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the supportmechanisms comprises lifting mechanisms operable to apply adecompressive force to the user's spine when the support belts arepositioned around the user's body.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein theportions of the support belt and the canting mechanism are integrallyformed from a single piece of material.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein each hinge is formed integrally with the support belt.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the hinges collectively form a polycentricbinge.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the support belt furthercomprises a plate to which one or more of the support mechanisms arecoupled, the portions of the support belt each being coupled to theplate at the associated pivot and rotatable about the pivot.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein the plate comprises one or more limitors thateach limit the movement of a portion of the support belt when a limitornotch formed in the portion engages with the limitor.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the canting mechanism is operable to synchronize themovement of the opposing portions of the support belt such that rotationof one portion about its associated pivot causes a substantiallyequivalent rotation of the other portion about its associated pivot. 9.The device of claim 1, wherein each hinge is formed by cutting a slot inthe support belt, a first slot being cut from a first edge of thesupport belt opposite a first hinge and a second slot being cut fromsecond edge of the support belt opposite a second hinge.
 10. Anambulatory support device, comprising: two support belts configured tobe positioned around a users body, at least one support belt comprisinga canting mechanism coupling opposing portions of the support belt, thecanting mechanism comprising two hinges, each hinge associated with acorresponding portion of the support belt, each hinge formed integrallywith the support belt, each hinge formed by cutting a slot in thesupport belt, a first slot being cut from a first edge of the supportbelt opposite a first hinge and a second slot being cut from second edgeof the support belt opposite a second hinge, the canting mechanismoperable to: allow the opposing portions to rotate about associatedpivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user's body; andsynchronize the movement of the opposing portions of the support beltsuch that movement of one portion requires movement of the other portionof substantially equivalent magnitude; and one or more supportmechanisms, each support mechanism couple between the support belts andoperable to provide stability to the user's body.
 11. A support belt foruse in an ambulatory support device, the support belt configured to bepositioned around a user's body and comprising a canting mechanismcoupling opposing portions of the support belt, the canting mechanismcomprising two hinges, each hinge associated with a correspondingportion of the support belt, the canting mechanism operable to: allowthe opposing portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow thesupport belt to conform to the user's body; and synchronize the movementof the opposing portions of the support belt such that movement of oneportion causes and requires movement of the other portion ofsubstantially equivalent magnitude.
 12. The support belt of claim 11,wherein the portions of the support belt and the canting mechanism areintegrally formed from a single piece of material.
 13. The support beltof claim 11, wherein each hinge is formed integrally with the supportbelt.
 14. The support belt of claim 11, wherein the hinges collectivelyform a polycentric hinge.
 15. The support belt of claim 11, furthercomprising a plate to which one or more support mechanisms are coupled,the portions of the support belt each being coupled to the plate at theassociated pivot and rotatable about the pivot.
 16. The support belt ofclaim 15, wherein the plate comprises one or more limitors that eachlimit the movement of a portion of the support belt when a limitor notchformed in the portion engages with the limitor.
 17. The support belt ofclaim 11, wherein the canting mechanism is operable to synchronize themovement of the opposing portions of the support belt such that rotationof one portion about its associated pivot causes a substantiallyequivalent rotation of the other portion about its associated pivot. 18.The support belt of claim 11, wherein each hinge is formed by cutting aslot in the support belt, a first slot being cut from a first edge ofthe support belt opposite a first hinge and a second slot being cut fromsecond edge of the support belt opposite a second hinge.
 19. A supportbelt for use in an ambulatory support device, the support beltconfigured to be positioned around a user's body and comprising acanting mechanism coupling opposing portions of the support belt, thecanting mechanism comprising two hinges, each hinge associated with acorresponding portion of the support belt, each hinge formed integrallywith the support belt, each hinge formed by cutting a slot in thesupport belt, a first slot being cut from a first edge of the supportbelt opposite a first hinge and a second slot being cut from second edgeof the support belt opposite a second hinge, the canting mechanismoperable to: allow the opposing portions to rotate about associatedpivots to allow the support belt to conform to the user's body; andsynchronize the movement of the opposing portions of the support beltsuch that movement of one portion requires movement of the other portionof substantially equivalent magnitude.
 20. An ambulatory support device,comprising: two support belts configured to be positioned around auser's body, at least one support belt comprising: a canting mechanismcoupling opposing portions of the support belt, the portions of thesupport belt and the canting mechanism being integrally formed from asingle piece of material, the canting mechanism comprising a hingeassociated with each portion of the support belt, each hinge formedintegrally with the support belt by cutting a slot in the support belt,a first slot being cut from a first edge of the support belt opposite afirst hinge and a second slot being cut from second edge of the supportbelt opposite a second hinge, the canting mechanism operable to: allowthe opposing portions to rotate about associated pivots to allow thesupport belt to conform to the user's body; and synchronize the movementof the opposing portions of the support belt such that movement of oneportion causes movement of the other portion of substantially equivalentmagnitude; and a plate to which one or more support mechanisms arecoupled, the portions of the support belt each being coupled to theplate at an associated pivot and rotatable about the pivot, each of theone or more support mechanisms coupled between the support belts andoperable to provide stability to the user's body.
 21. A support belt foruse in an ambulatory support device, the support belt configured to bepositioned around a user's body and comprising canting moans for:coupling opposing portions of the support belt; allowing the opposingportions to rotate about associated pivots to allow the support belt toconform to the users body; and synchronizing the movement of theopposing portions of the support belt such that movement of one portioncauses and requires movement of the other portion of substantiallyequivalent magnitude; the canting means comprising two hinges, eachhinge associated with a corresponding portion of the support belt.
 22. Asupport belt for use in an ambulatory support device, the support beltconfigured to be positioned around a user's body and comprising: a meansfor: coupling opposing portions of the support belt; allowing theopposing portions of the support belt to rotate about associated pivotsto allow the support belt to conform to the user's body; andsynchronizing the movement of the opposing portions of the support beltsuch that movement of one portion of the support belt causes andrequires movement of the other portion of the support belt ofsubstantially equivalent magnitude; and the means comprising two hinges,each hinge associated with a corresponding portion of the support belt,each hinge formed integrally with the support belt, each hinge formed bycutting a slot in the support belt, a first slot being cut from a firstedge of the support belt opposite a first hinge and a second slot beingcut from second edge of the support belt opposite a second hinge.